Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane wants to keep James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez made only 17 starts for Real Madrid in the league.

Real Madrid manager ZinedineZidane has revealed that he does not want James Rodriguez to leave despite interest from a lot of clubs across Europe. The manager knows that there is a lot of competition in his position but wants to keep him for at least another year so that he can establish himself as a regular first team player.

Rodriguez was on the bench in Real's Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid, something which has forced him to look elsewhere for regular game time. Manchester United are among the few clubs reported to be interested in the player with Jose Mourinho still in the market to strengthen his squad despite having completed three signings and is on the verge of making a world record transfer for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

The midfielder only made 17 starts last season in the league, scoring seven goals and eight assists and would consider a move out of the club in a bid for more first team football. He was the key figure for Colombia in the recently concluded Copa America, scoring two goals in six appearances and insists that he deserves to play more, which is not being afforded at Madrid. However, Zidane is keen on giving him another chance to prove himself and is unwilling to let him leave this season.

Rodriguez impressed for Colombia in this summer's Copa America.Getty

"There are many players in that position, so nothing is closed," Zidane said, as quoted by Goal. "We will talk about this when we return to Madrid. There are many players in this position and it is difficult to fit them all in. Moreover, they are all very good. We will make decisions.

"I do not want James to leave. He is a Madrid player, he just wants to play more, but you have to do what he is doing and work. I hope to play him more this year but I want everyone to give their maximum, and then I decide before every game. And I have 25 players, so I do not have anything against James, people always ask me the same. James is well in Madrid."